Authentically Black
Book Description
In this thought-provoking collection of essays, linguistics professor John McWhorter examines the complex landscape of racial identity in contemporary America. Building on themes from his previous work, McWhorter explores what he perceives as a persistent divide that keeps African Americans positioned as "a race apart" nearly four decades after landmark civil rights legislation.
McWhorter introduces the concept of "New Double Consciousness," drawing inspiration from W.E.B. DuBois while describing a modern phenomenon where authentic blackness requires emphasizing personal responsibility privately while maintaining a public stance of victimhood to guard against potential white backlash. This framework shapes his analysis of current racial discourse across multiple dimensions.
The author guides readers through contentious topics including racial profiling, reparations, media representation, leadership dynamics, affirmative action policies, and academic controversies. His examination extends to the complexities of moving beyond race while acknowledging its continued significance in American society.
Written for readers across all backgrounds, McWhorter presents his perspective with scholarly rigor and passionate conviction. He challenges conventional thinking about racial progress and authenticity, arguing for approaches that might advance genuine equality. The book offers insights into how cultural expectations and social pressures shape identity formation and public discourse.
For those seeking deeper understanding of contemporary racial dynamics and their psychological dimensions, this work provides a framework for examining how historical consciousness influences present-day choices and community relationships.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 264 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Popular culture
- ✓ Explore Soziale Situation
- ✓ Explore African americans, social conditions
- ✓ Explore United states, social conditions
- ✓ Explore Social conditions
- ✓ Explore African americans, intellectual life
- ✓ Explore United states, intellectual life
- ✓ Explore African Americans in popular culture
